Trithiolane


In the area of organosulfur chemistry, trithiolane refers to either of two families of heterocycles with the C2S3 rings:
parent: 1,2,3-trithiolane, colorless liquid, boiling point = 224 °C
  • 1,2,4-trithiolanes with only one S-S bond
parent: 1,2,4-trithiolane, colorless solid, melting point 74-75 °C

Occurrence

A 1,2,3-trithiolane arises from treating of norbornene with elemental sulfur. The same reaction also gives the pentasulfide.
1,2,4-Trithiolanes are volatile components of many foods, especially after cooking. The frying of chicken produces 3,5-dimethyl-, 3,5-diisobutyl-1,2,4-trithiolane, 3-methyl-5-butyl-, and 3-methyl-5-pentyl-1,2,4-trithiolanes. Trithiolane itself contributes to the flavor of truffles. 3,5-Dimethyltrithiolane is a component of the intense odor of durian.